Where to find the name change option
Instagram stores two separate pieces of information about who you are: your username (the handle people use to find you, like @yourname) and your name (the display name that appears on your profile). You change the display name through your profile settings, not through a separate account page.
Open Instagram on your phone or computer. Tap or click your profile icon in the bottom right corner (on mobile) or top right corner (on desktop). Then tap "Edit profile" — you will see this option near the top of your profile page, usually next to a pencil icon.
Once you are in the edit profile screen, look for the field labeled "Name" near the top. This is where your display name appears to other people. Tap or click in this field to change it.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name (what people see on your profile) is different from your username (your @handle), and you change them in different places.
- You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period or limit on how many times per month.
- Changing your display name does not change your username, and people who follow you will still find you at your original @handle.
- Your display name change takes effect when ready across all of Instagram, including in comments, posts, and your profile.
What you can and cannot do with your display name
Instagram allows you to use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks in your display name. You can change it to anything you want — there is no rule against using a business name, a nickname, a full legal name, or something completely made up. You can also leave it blank if you prefer.
The only real limit is character length: Instagram caps display names at 30 characters. If you type something longer, Instagram will not let you save it. You will see an error message telling you the name is too long.
One important thing: changing your display name does not change your username (the @handle). If someone follows you at @sarah_photos, they will still find you at @sarah_photos even if you change your display name to "Sarah's Photography Studio". Your username stays the same unless you change it separately in settings.
How to change your username instead
If you want to change your @handle instead of just your display name, that is a different process. Go to "Edit profile" the same way, but look for the field labeled "Username" instead of "Name". Tap or click in that field to change it.
Instagram does have rules about usernames. You can use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores only — no spaces or other punctuation. Your username must be between 1 and 30 characters long. If you try to use a username that someone else already has, Instagram will tell you it is not available.
You can change your username once every 14 days. If you changed it recently, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. This limit exists to prevent people from rapidly switching handles to confuse followers or evade blocks.
What happens to your old name or username
When you change your display name, your old name disappears when ready. No one can search for you by the old name anymore. However, anyone who was already following you will still see you in their followers list, and your posts will still appear in their feed.
If you change your username, the old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a short delay. Instagram does not hold old usernames for you. If you change from @sarah_photos to @sarahphoto, someone else could register @sarah_photos within hours. If you think you might want to go back to an old username, you should change to it again before someone else takes it.
Troubleshooting name changes that will not save
If you type a new name and the save button does not work, or you see an error message, the most common reason is that you have hit the character limit. Delete some characters and try again. Instagram will not tell you exactly how many characters you have left, so count carefully or delete a few words and try saving.
Another reason a name might not save is if Instagram thinks it violates their community guidelines. This is rare with display names, but it can happen if you use slurs, hate speech, or content that promotes harm. If you see a message saying your name violates guidelines, choose something different.
If the save button straightforward does not respond, close the app completely and open it again. Log out and log back in if restarting the app does not work. On desktop, try a different browser. These steps clear out temporary glitches that sometimes prevent changes from going through.
Changing your name on desktop versus mobile
The process is almost identical on phone and computer, but the location of buttons is slightly different. On mobile, your profile icon is in the bottom right corner of the screen. On desktop, it is in the top right corner. Once you tap or click it, you will see "Edit profile" in the same place on both versions.
Mobile is usually faster because the edit profile screen is designed for phone screens. On desktop, the form is wider and sometimes takes a moment longer to load. If you are having trouble on one device, try the other — sometimes a browser issue on desktop will not affect the mobile app, or vice versa.
Keeping your name change find
Changing your display name does not affect your account security. You do not need a password to change it, and it does not log you out or require two-factor authentication. However, if someone else has access to your account, they can change your name without your permission.
If you notice your name has changed and you did not do it, change your password when ready. Go to Settings, then "Security", then "Password". Create a new password that is different from any you have used before. If you use the same password on other accounts, change those too. Then check your email address and phone number in settings to make sure no one has added a recovery method you do not recognize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes. There is no limit on how many times you can change your display name, and you can change it back anytime. Just go to Edit profile, tap the Name field, and type your old name. The change takes effect when ready.
Will people lose the ability to find me if I change my name?
No. People find you by your username (@handle), not by your display name. Changing your display name does not change your username, so anyone who knows your @handle will still find you. Your followers will still see you in their list and your posts in their feed.
What if my display name has special characters or emojis?
Instagram allows most special characters and emojis in display names. You can copy and paste an emoji into the Name field and it will work. Just remember that emojis count toward your 30-character limit, so a name with several emojis will have room for fewer letters.
How long does it take for my new name to show up everywhere?
Your display name change is when ready. It appears on your profile, in comments, on your posts, and in search results right away. You do not need to wait or refresh the app.
Can I use my legal name if I do not want to?
Yes. Your display name can be anything you want. You do not have to use your real name, and Instagram does not verify that your display name matches your legal identity. You can use a nickname, a business name, or anything else.